Director Gerard de Thame has joined Believe Media for representation in the U.S. and parts of Europe, thus ending his long tenure with HSI Productions. Accompanying de Thame to Believe is his producer Fabyan Daw, managing director of Gerard de Thame Films in London, which continues to handle de Thame in the U.K. market.
At press time, de Thame was in London wrapping up the visual effects on a Prudential campaign, his last project at HSI; the job was done as a co-production with Gerard de Thame Films. “I have enjoyed my time with HSI,” said de Thame, “but this is an industry that never stands still, and it was simply time to shake things up. With a shared vision and considerable passion, Believe was a natural choice.”
De Thame began his career in London where he made his mark directing memorable and award-winning music videos and advertising campaigns. His work quickly caught on in the U.S., and de Thame made his stateside home at HSI where he resided until now. He has directed such notable American ads as Volkswagen Jetta’s “Synchronicity” for Arnold Worldwide, Boston, and Mercedes-Benz’s “Modern Ark” for the then Merkley Newman Harty, New York (now Merkley & Partners)–both of which were nominated for primetime commercial Emmy Awards in 1999 and 2001, respectively. “Synchronicity” also earned the distinction of being inducted into New York’s Museum of Modern Art.
Over the years, de Thame has helmed work for Nike, Samsung and Jeep, among assorted other clients.
Apple and Google Face UK Investigation Into Mobile Browser Dominance
Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers, a British watchdog said Friday in a report that recommends they face an investigation under new U.K. digital rules taking effect next year.
The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker's tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. Apple does this by restricting progressive web apps, which don't need to be downloaded from an app store and aren't subject to app store commissions, the report said.
"This technology is not able to fully take off on iOS devices," the watchdog said in a provisional report on its investigation into mobile browsers that it opened after an initial study concluded that Apple and Google effectively have a chokehold on "mobile ecosystems."
The CMA's report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers "the clearest or easiest option."
And it said that the a revenue-sharing deal between the two U.S. Big Tech companies "significantly reduces their financial incentives" to compete in mobile browsers on Apple's iOS operating system for iPhones.
Both companies said they will "engage constructively" with the CMA.
Apple said it disagreed with the findings and said it was concerned that the recommendations would undermine user privacy and security.
Google said the openness of its Android mobile operating system "has helped to expand choice, reduce prices and democratize access to smartphones and apps" and that it's "committed to open platforms that empower consumers."
It's the latest move by regulators on both sides of the Atlantic to crack down on the... Read More